8 Top Memphis Neighborhoods to Live

Welcome to Memphis, TN! This city along the mighty Mississippi in western Tennessee is known for its music, food, and culture. While it may be small compared to other major metros, Memphis offers a low cost of living, mild winters, and lots of entertainment.

If you’re considering moving to Memphis, finding the best place to live will help you make the most of your Tennessee lifestyle. But before exploring the best places to live in town, let’s see how Memphis is divided.

 The Memphis Areas

Memphis is divided into distinct areas, each with unique neighborhoods and diverse real estate options.

• North Memphis encompasses neighborhoods such as Frayser, Douglass, and Hyde Park. These areas are known for their affordable housing, offering budget-friendly options for first-time homebuyers and investors.
• South Memphis includes neighborhoods like South Main, Riverview, and Boxtown. This area is rich in cultural and historical significance, and revitalization efforts to improve infrastructure and community services are ongoing. South Memphis offers a mix of historic homes and newer developments.
• East Memphis is home to neighborhoods such as Germantown, Cordova, and Hickory Hill, which are known for being safe neighborhoods with a unique suburban feel, excellent schools, and higher-end real estate options, including large single-family homes and upscale apartments.
• West Memphis features areas like Mud Island and Harbor Town, which offer a blend of urban living with waterfront properties and modern condos. Mud Island is one of the best places to live in West Memphis. Residents enjoy numerous amenities, including the Mississippi River Park, a 52-acre park featuring walking and biking trails, picnic areas, and the Riverwalk.

 Exploring Memphis reveals a tapestry of unique neighborhoods, each offering distinct charms and amenities. Here are our carefully selected choices for the best neighborhoods in town, catering to a variety of life paths:

Downtown Memphis

If you’re looking for an authentic urban living experience in Central Memphis, downtown is the place to be. Wall Street Journal gave the downtown area high marks for its walkable and bikeable lifestyle. Of course, you can’t beat the views of the Mississippi River.

Downtown stays busy with live music and festivals. Cultural attractions like the Rock’n’Roll Museum, Orpheus Theater, and National Civil Rights Museum bring tourists into town. Daytime downtown is what you’d expect of an urban center: business, calm, and quiet. Beale Street Landing is a place to observe the river and to use the only local playground for kids.

At night, it turns into a bustling district with restaurants and bars. Beale Street Entertainment District lights up the strip for music venues and clubs, emphasizing the area’s blues history.

Over 30,000 people live downtown, choosing between townhomes, condos, and single-family residents. Its overall cost of living for a downtown urban area was 14% lower than the national average. Forbes ranked its downtown in the top 10 for affordability. The October 2022 real estate market had 99 homes listed at a median of $369,000. Other desirable areas near Memphis city center include Harbor Town and South Bluffs.

Midtown Memphis

Midtown’s hip, funky vibe shows this is Memphis’ artistic center. Here you’ll find some of Memphis’s best restaurants, bars, and shops around Overton Square. Many of the city’s cultural attractions, like the Memphis Zoo and the Dixon Gallery and Gardens, draw in visitors and residents.

Overton Park, a 342-acre public park, provides the locals with plenty of recreational amenities. The natural forest area is perfect for hikes and runs, while the dog park (called Overton Bark) provides a safe place to let your furry friend run around. If you want to relax, you can stroll around the lake or sit in one of the many picnic areas. And if you want to stay active, there’s a nine-hole golf course on site.

The eclectic nature of housing is one thing locals like. While walking around the residential area, you’ll find stately, old homes with wrap-around porches and elegant columns. But if you take a few steps down other streets, you’ll likely find worn-down apartments.

The median home price in Midtown was $279,000 in October 2022. Choose from apartments, condos, and single-family homes.

Cooper-Young

This is one of the trendiest neighborhoods in Memphis, known for its live music scene, eclectic mix of shops and restaurants, and bohemian vibe. It’s located just south of Midtown and about two miles from downtown Memphis.

The neighborhood is home to many local businesses, including art galleries, antique stores, coffee shops, and more. This street has some of the most pubs, brewhouses, casual restaurants, shops, and more that the town has to offer! The 150-foot Cooper-Young Trestle sculpture is the best way to find your way to Cooper Street if you’re new in town.

Expect lots of activity when you live here. Every first Friday of the month, the Cooper-Young Community Association hosts an Art Crawl where locals can explore the various businesses and enjoy live music. With over 130,000 attendees annually, the Cooper-Young Festival is one of the country’s largest arts and music festivals. With hundreds of artisans showcasing their wares, this event is a must-attend for anyone interested in crafts or culture.

Housing options include apartments and smaller single-family homes, often with historic architecture like Craftsman. Prices for homes in October 2022 were a median of $300,000 and ranged from $188,000 to $519,900. There were 31 homes on the market.

Central Gardens

Central Gardens is centrally located in the heart of Midtown Memphis, offering residents easy access to downtown and other key parts of the city. This prime location makes it convenient for both work and leisure, attracting a diverse community of professionals and families.

The real estate market in Central Gardens is notable for its historic homes, featuring architectural styles such as Craftsman bungalows, Colonial Revival, and Tudor-style houses. The median home price in the neighborhood is approximately $459,000, reflecting its desirability and the growing value of its well-preserved historic properties. Families appreciate the presence of private schools and proximity to the University of Memphis.

Residents of Central Gardens enjoy a variety of amenities, including close proximity to Overton Park, Memphis Zoo, the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, and an array of local shops and restaurants. The overall atmosphere is charming and tranquil, with tree-lined streets and a strong sense of community, making it a highly sought-after area for potential homebuyers.

East Memphis

East Memphis is the city’s largest neighborhood, and it’s also one of the most affluent. A key indicator of its demographic: the city’s only Whole Foods is in East Memphis. Located outside the “loop,” it’s known for its suburban feel, with tree-lined streets and a quieter atmosphere.

This upscale neighborhood has something for everyone, from shopping at high-end malls to exploring nature trails. Hog & Hominy, one of Memphis’ top-rated restaurants, operates from here. The Shelby Farms Greenline is a 10.8-mile rails-to-trails bicycle and pedestrian path that runs through East Memphis and connects to the 4,500 acres of Shelby Farms Park. Nearby are the Wolf River and the Memphis Botanical Gardens.

East Memphis is commuter-friendly, connecting to I-240 and other major Memphis city roads and Sam Cooper Blvd. The University of Memphis campus is a mile west. Inside the community, it’s easy to get around by bike or foot.

Architecturally, real estate favors mid-century and 1950s-style ranches, with many historic homes. You can find various housing options here, from apartments to single-family homes. Neighborhoods include Normandy Meadows, Belle Meade, St. Nick, and Richland. Home prices ranged from $25,000 for a vacant lot to $2.7 million in October 2022.

Germantown

An affluent independent suburb of Memphis, Germantown is one of the safest neighborhoods and most desirable places to live in the Memphis metro. The family-friendly vibe draws people here, as do the excellent public schools, abundant parks, and family-friendly activities. Germantown was rated the second-safest city in Tennessee based on its low crime rate. It is about 21 miles from downtown Memphis.

This community has a small-town feel, but there’s no shortage of things to do in Germantown. There’s the Shops of Saddle Creek, an outdoor mall with plenty of high-end stores for shopping. Or explore one of the city’s many parks, like Germantown Community Park or Exeter Park. Shelby Farms Park is just a few minutes northeast, and the Wolf River runs along the town’s northern border.

Housing options in this West Memphis area include apartments, townhomes, and single-family homes. The communities have a reputation for being more upscale in the Memphis area. Prices for homes in October 2022 were a median of $500,000 and ranged from $75,000 to $2.3 million. There were 170 homes on the market.

Cordova

Located east of downtown Memphis, Cordova is a large suburban community with a mix of families and young professionals. It’s about a 20-minute drive from downtown.

This community feels more spacious, being in the northeast part of town, with ample spaces for an outdoor adventure. For nature lovers, there’s the 4,500-acre Shelby Farms Park, one of the largest parks in Memphis. Plus, there’s the 10-mile Shelby Farms Greenline and Bert Ferguson Park for more outdoor recreation. When you need to do some shopping, head to Wolfchase Galleria, one of the largest malls in the Memphis area. Shopping is abundant at Wolfchase Galleria, which has over 120 stores, including name-brand retailers.

Housing options in Cordova include apartments, townhomes, and single-family homes. There were 164 homes on the market. Prices for homes in October 2022 had a median of $315,000 and ranged from $75,000 to $2.6 million.

River Oaks-Kirby-Balmoral

Another one of the most affluent residential neighborhoods in Memphis, the River Oaks area is known for its large houses and tree-lined streets. It’s located east of East Memphis and North of Germantown; the downtown commute is about 25 minutes.

The highly residential region is home to many executives and professionals working in downtown Memphis. It’s also convenient for shopping and dining options in Midtown and East Memphis. Shelby Farms Park is just north of the district, but locals also have the Lichterman Nature Center to get outside and interact with wildlife. Culturally, Opera Memphis is based in this district. Several top private K-12 schools are nearby, including Memphis University School.

Housing options include single-family homes on larger lots compared to the inner city neighborhoods. Prices for homes in October 2022 had a median of $475,000, with River Oaks being more expensive and Balmoral being less expensive. There were 42 homes on the market.

Frequently Asked Questions About Memphis Neighborhoods

Why is Memphis so famous?

Memphis is renowned for its pivotal role in American music history. It is the birthplace of blues, soul, and rock ‘n’ roll. Iconic locations like Beale Street, Sun Studio, and Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley, attract millions of visitors each year.

In addition, Memphis played a significant role in the civil rights movement, with landmarks such as the National Civil Rights Museum located at the Lorraine Motel, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated.

This rich cultural and historical heritage makes Memphis a city of great significance and fascination.

What is the best suburb of Memphis?

Germantown is often considered the best suburb of Memphis due to its excellent public schools, low crime rates, and high quality of life. This affluent zip code offers a family-friendly environment with many parks, green spaces, shopping centers, and trendy restaurants.

Germantown’s well-maintained, safest neighborhoods and a strong sense of community make it a highly desirable place for families and professionals seeking a suburban lifestyle close to Memphis’s amenities.

Where do Millennials live in Memphis?

Millennials in Memphis are drawn to neighborhoods like Midtown and Cooper-Young. These areas offer a mix of historic charm and modern amenities, with a vibrant arts scene, eclectic dining options, and one of the liveliest nightlives in Tennessee.

Midtown, in particular, is known for its diversity, walkability, and cultural attractions, such as Overton Park and the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. These neighborhoods provide a dynamic urban living experience that appeals to younger residents.

How much money do you need to live comfortably in Memphis?

According to the MIT Living Wage Calculator, a single adult must earn approximately $42,212 annually before taxes to live comfortably in Memphis.

This figure covers basic expenses such as housing, food, transportation, medical care, and other essentials. For a family with two working adults and two children, the required annual income before taxes rises to about $78,902 per adult.​

What is the average pay in Memphis TN?

The average annual pay in Memphis, TN, varies by occupation. Management positions earn around $119,660 annually, while business and financial operations roles average $70,320 annually.

Jobs in the healthcare sector, such as healthcare practitioners and technical positions, earn approximately $84,650 per year. Conversely, food preparation and serving roles have lower average earnings, around $27,050 annually.

North Memphis vs. South Memphis: Which is better for homebuyers?

North Memphis: North Memphis is an attractive option for budget-conscious homebuyers, with a median home price around $162,000. The area features popular neighborhoods such as Frayser, Raleigh, and Binghamton, known for their tight-knit community ties, urban parks, and affordable housing options.

However, potential buyers should research safety in what will ultimately be their desired neighborhood and be aware that economic development here might be slower compared to other parts of the city.

South Memphis: Rich in history and culture, South Memphis is home to neighborhoods like South Main, Riverview, and Boxtown. These areas are known for their historical significance, outdoor activities, music, and civil rights contributions.

The median home price is higher than in North Memphis (approximately $260,000) but remains relatively affordable. The neighborhood benefits from ongoing revitalization efforts, improving infrastructure, and community services, making it appealing to those who value cultural heritage and community involvement.

Best Neighborhoods in Memphis

So there you have it! The best neighborhoods in Memphis for different lifestyles. Whether you’re looking for an outdoor adventure or a night out on the town, one of these neighborhoods is sure to have it. No matter what your budget is, there’s sure to be a Memphis neighborhood that’s perfect for you.

If you’re new to Tennessee, check out 12 things you should know about the Volunteer State.